Ethan felt the fierce and dangerous power coursing through him, each pulse a reminder of the overwhelming force he now commanded. The sensation was intoxicating, exhilarating—and terrifying. His body thrummed with energy so potent it seemed to vibrate the very fabric of reality around him. He felt invincible, as if he could level an entire city with a single burst of his strength. It wasn't far from the truth, and the system's sudden notification affirmed it.
Sync Level Is Currently 15%!
Usage of Double Sync at 15% Confirmed!
Your Full Power is Now Equivalent to a Mid-Level Warrior-Level Mage!
Time Limit for Sync Increased to 5 Minutes!
After Effects of Double Sync Unknown! Please Tread With Caution!
Ethan clenched his fists, the golden energy around him blazing brighter. 'No wonder I feel so powerful. So, this is the Warrior Level. But it's too dangerous. I hope I can finish this fast,' he thought grimly.
The portal beneath his feet flashed, teleporting him high into the sky—over six kilometers above the ground. The cold wind whipped against his glowing form, but he barely noticed it. In this form, he felt like a god. He could feel the full extent of his Psychic affinity, and he knew this wasn't even his final state. His spirit beasts were undergoing evolutions, and he wondered fleetingly what their finished transformations might unlock. The thought sparked a dangerous curiosity—What would happen if I used Double Sync again with their power complete?
His musings were cut short by a sudden, intense tingle down his spine. His instincts screamed at him, and he crossed his arms in front of his body.
The resounding impact of a devastating blow echoed in the air. A golden burst of energy radiated from Ethan's body, deflecting the unseen attack. His breath caught, his heart pounding from the sheer force of it.
"Fuck!" he hissed, his tone tinged with both shock and determination. A silvery-blue glow surged, steadying him mid-air. He turned, his sharp gaze locking onto the floating figure a few meters away.
Her appearance was ethereal yet imposing, her form bathed in a silvery lunar glow. She radiated an undeniable divinity, her piercing eyes boring into him with an icy authority that made his blood chill despite his burning power.
Before either could act, a ferocious and oppressive aura suddenly blanketed the entire city. Ethan and the celestial figure both turned toward the source of the malevolent energy.
There, on the ground, stood a figure wearing a black dress, her face hidden by a veil. Though she exuded a feminine presence, her aura was anything but gentle. Her gaze fell on Ethan, and he shuddered involuntarily as a feeling of suffocating dread washed over him.
'Miss Carmen?' His thought echoed in telepathic inquiry.
'Yes, my dear Ethan,' came the calm, velvety response. 'I won't interfere. You are the only one who can truly stop this. I will protect your back and ensure no one else interferes. Be quick about it.'
Ethan's mind reeled. 'But how—'
'You will know after this is all over. I promise, my love.' Her tone carried an intimacy that made Ethan's breath hitch.
The mental warning came just in time. Ethan reflexively dropped, narrowly avoiding a massive silver spike that tore through the space his head had occupied mere milliseconds before.
"Shit!" he spat, his eyes darting back to his opponent.
Her voice cut through the air, serene yet commanding, with an undertone of chilling arrogance. "Do not ever ignore my presence again, mortal."
Ethan felt the weight of her words, her tone as cold and remote as the moon hanging above her. She raised a glowing hand, the silvery light intensifying as a massive bow materialized in her grasp. In one fluid motion, she drew the string, her speed and precision beyond anything Ethan had ever seen.
A barrage of silver arrows streaked toward him, each radiating an unearthly energy. Ethan barely had time to react.
His hands shot upward, and the earth responded to his command. Massive boulders launched skyward, forming a towering barricade. The arrows collided with the barrier in a deafening series of explosions, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Dust and debris swirled chaotically, momentarily obscuring Andriel's vision.
Ethan seized the opportunity.
Yellow lightning crackled around his form as he surged forward, his speed leaving an afterimage in the dust-filled air. A dark silver machete coalesced in his hand, its blade gleaming with a malevolent energy.
He emerged from the haze, appearing before Andriel like a phantom. He swung his weapon with precision, aiming not at her but at the shimmering thread that connected her to the celestial moon.
Her eyes widened in shock, but her expression remained composed. As the machete neared her, a radiant silver glow erupted from her body, intercepting the blade.
The resulting clash sent Ethan hurtling backward, the force of the impact pushing him nearly eight meters away. The collision's shockwave tore through the sky, even causing Miss Carmen's barrier to ripple faintly.
The battle above unfolded beyond the comprehension of most observers. To those below, it was a terrifying display of raw power. Explosions thundered across the heavens, and the earth trembled with each clash. People screamed and scattered, seeking shelter as debris rained down.
Earlier. Before Ethan and Andriel's Clash...
Leon had chased the culprit who took his prey and managed to track him towards the hidden alley but when he thought he had gotten hold of the culprit, the day instantly turned to night, and he saw something that made him nearly piss in his uniform. Floating above him, in the sky, was the girl he had abducted and was about to defile. But the one here and the one back then was like night and day, which it literally was. The aura she was radiating was both ethereal and dangerous, suffocating. He couldn't describe it.
'I almost got myself killed.' He broke out in cold sweat and even thanked whoever came to save the girl for saving his life, but his night of shock wasn't over. He suddenly heard argument coming from the alley and he got there just in time to see his hated rival, Ethan, radiating an intense aura which didn't lose the girl up in the sky. But that wasn't all.
Ethan now looked different with his towering height and scales and then he saw a resemblance of Ethan to the guy he fought earlier and came to a severe conclusion which will come to bite him back in the not so far future. Something which would show him a bit of the truth of the world. 'He's a monster. We've got a monster in the academy.
From the number of priorities he could think of, he had thoughts of exposing Ethan's "real identity".
Leon was truly too far gone in his hatred and jealousy, and he will face severe consequences.
He pulled out his phone, shakily recording Ethan's transformation. In his mind, he saw a future where this footage would destroy his rival. They'll kill him… or turn him into a lab rat. Either way, Clara will be mine.
Leon's jealousy and hatred burned brighter than ever. But even as he schemed, a distant voice whispered warnings of the inevitable consequences of his actions. Not like he could hear any of them.
As Ethan and Andriel's battle intensified, the city's inhabitants were gripped by fear and awe. The sky lit up with bursts of silver and gold, each clash reverberating through the air. Buildings trembled, and windows shattered from the sheer force of their power.
Miss Carmen's barrier kept the destruction contained, but it did little to calm the growing panic below. People pointed skyward, their faces pale with terror as they watched the impossible unfold.
In the distance, Clara, Emily, and Trevor stood together, their faces etched with worry.
"That's Ethan up there," Clara whispered, her voice trembling.
"Yeah," Trevor muttered. "And it looks like he's holding his own… but against what?"
"Something we're not ready to face," Emily replied, her tone grim.
"A very dangerous soulmate, I must say..." Lamair replied with a worried face.
The four friends could do nothing but watch as the battle raged on, their hearts heavy with fear for their friend—and the city.
Miss Carmen hovered above the school, her figure calm but her expression was anything but that. It seemed her master's predictions were true. Ethan was more than just a talented mage. He was a being who had his path already determined or so from what she was witnessing. She had also seen it, although not as vivid as Andriel's. The being with the crown and this time she felt something else. It wasn't just her love or infatuation with her master's son. No. It was something more. What she felt was the direct translation and personification of the saying, "they were meant to be."
It was like from the beginning, it was already decided, and she also felt her connection with her other "partners", who were all destined to be with Ethan. She had some theories, but Andriel seemed to be the perfect one to explain everything to them as she was also part of the "partners".
She now hoped Ethan would be able to stop her in time. But despite all this, she felt a certain kind of excitement at the notion that finally, Ethan's real identity would be exposed to the world. An identity that would shake the very foundations of the world. But for now, it will have to wait, supposing Ethan would be able to stop Andriel and then complete the outing. Everything will start from there and she couldn't help but shiver in expectation and anticipation.